Gwyndolin Maulsen |
Gwyn looks at the chilly water and weighs her options. After a few moments she walks over to where the bows are stored and readies it and a quiver of a score of arrows.
"If you don't mind me getting in some practice with a bow."
And waits for the others.
Cain... |
Cain can't help himself, and he barely avoids giving Price a smarmy grin. "Sure. Beats the hell outta sittin on my ass in a hammock and sippin on some fruity drink." He winks over at her before turning to answer Gwyn. "Good call."
He shoulders his pack and settles it into place as he gives Jakes and the rest of the group a questioning look, "Anyone else up for some fun? Never hunted seal, myself."
should we be concerned with guarding the ships? At least some of us should go where Odenkirk goes, and it does seem to make the game go faster if we all stick together, but I certainly don't want to push someone into coming along if they don't want to or it would be out of character.
Price |
"I didn't recall saying you'd be sitting in a hammock. I rather expected you to serve drinks and fan me. But since that idea clearly doesn't appeal to you..." she swings her mace experimentally, "I'll join the excursion."
It would be wise to leave a guard (but not nearly as much fun)... but it'd be awfully funny if we got marooned on the island and watched the pirates sail away with Slave-in-a-Box. :D
Xanos |
That's brilliant. :D
Xanos had no particular interest in hunting but it had been many years since he took in the sights of any island. He nods at Shulme's assessment and waits for the ships to dock.
Captain Kargeld Odenkirk |
As everyone prepares to go hunting, the men Odenkirk ordered to fetch water take two of the eight barrels between the two boats and begin to bring them inward.
As they boats begin to push off, Odenkirk calls over to you all. "Perhaps a little wager? Whoever catches the most seals gets both lots. Not afraid of a friendly competition, are you?" The man spares a rare grin at the thought.
To help move things along, if you agree, roll me a survival check if you participate in the hunt. If you choose to help guard the boat or go with water fetching, or something else, let me know.
Looks like at present everyone's at least going with the exception of Kalina?
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
Survival: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12
Gwyn glares at the spot in the water where the arrow had splashed wide with pursed lips. She is not like most nobles, true. She is willing to get her hands dirty and actually work for her food, but the fact that she had never hunted in her life is showing in great abundance here.
"Least I got close this time." she mutters. Remembering her first time using a bow under Cain's tutelage had caused several crew to duck and one to wet his pants as the arrow sunk into the wood at the bow of the ship mere inches from his face.
Her eyes were already scanning for another seal to try and kill.
Gonna take all bloody trip to learn how to hit the narrow side of the ship at this rate.
Price |
Price accepts Odenkirk's offer. At the very least, it should distract him brooding on why the Triton's attacked them. "Deal."
Survival (Hunting) 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29 Booyah.
If this counts as tracking, Price gets another +1 so total of 30.
Xanos |
Xanos picked up his box, moved it onto the beach and found a comfortable place to set up a makeshift chair and table. Carefully wrapped and preserved triton hands were hung nearby to dry in the sun. Moments later he was settled and writing in his book.
Captain Kargeld Odenkirk |
Going ahead to move along.
Setting out to begin the hunting, it proves a fruitful endeavor. Seals are indeed plentiful in these waters. Price manages to find the first of the creatures, a mere moment before Odenkirk, earning an approving scowl from the man. One quickly bringing a cheer as he himself manages to find another.
And so it goes back and forth for the next few hours, until by the end of the day, Odenkirk and his men manage to bag 7 seals hides, while you only bag 6. That is, until you return and a fortunate opportunity opens up and you find a 7th, in the wrong place at the right time.
Returning to the boats, the water had been loaded up. Having the small watercraft loaded back into the boats, he turns. "Looks like a draw. An enjoyable, and profitable, bit of fun. It's rare to find a good woman who hunts like that." He flashes Price a friendly grin before going back to supervising his men.
OK 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
OM 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
OM 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
OM 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12
OM 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19
OM 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11
OM 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (13) - 1 = 12
OM 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6
Xanos |
Xanos gives Shulme a sideling glance, silently communicating that he had also noticed the possible deception, but says nothing.
Captain Kargeld Odenkirk |
The hunt and water gathering concluded, the boat continues on it's journey.
Leaving Seal Isle and continuing on their journey, the next three days are met with heavy rainfall. The sailors prove to be skilled in handling the craft in the storms, able to continue pushing forward with little time lost to the elements. During these days, one thing has changed on the crafts. Odenkirk has become more interested in the actions of our villains, particularly one particular inquisitor whom he is caught glancing at on occasion.
As the rain lifts on the third day, the sun shining overhead, four watercraft are spotted. Three small one man kayaks as well as a seal-skin umiak, four men in the craft. The boats, having seen you as well, turn in your direction.
Kargeld takes notice of the craft. "Yutak. Probably wanting to trade. Won't be difficult to avoid them, but this is their waters. I'd advise meeting with them."
Kargeld has some ulterior motive with wanting to meet with these men, probably to do with the seal pelts acquired earlier as he eyes them for a moment. 1d20 ⇒ 4
The Yutak are a rather primitive people living on a large island northeast of Talingarde. They speak their own tongue, though an exceptional few speak common. Most of their weaponry consists of seal and whale leathers and bone weaponry.
The Yutak have strong family loyalties and are well known to follow vendettas to great ends. They have little interest in the 'metal-men' of Talingarde though they do value their metal weapons
The Yutak place little value on gold, finding it weak and soft, making poor spear heads. Mithril ranks high on the Yutak's list of metals.
Xanos |
"Odenkirk may have lied about the water shortage. There are eight barrels. Only two were refilled."
Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
Nah, it's fine. Less chance Gwyn has of drowning the better.
Kn.(Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Gwyn looks over the railing at the canoes and strange men piloting them. Despite being one of the villains, she's still naive and doesn't know much about the world outside of Talingarde.
Best to lie low and keep quite.
Price |
No worries on pacing here. Feel free to fast forward as needed.
Sense Motive 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28
Shulme-Silule |
Unable to make his observations due to rainclouds moving in, Shulme scowls and rejoins the ship. For the next several days the sorcerer is lethargic and curt, saying little and doing less.
He stirs as the sky clears, however, and takes a place by the rail watching the boats approach.
"Are they likely to have anything of value to offer?"
Xanos |
"To us, unlikely. They do exquisite bonecarving though. I received an intricate tusk as a diplomatic enticement from a rather successful pirate once. Wet...Bad...? I admit to forgetting the man's name. That was a few decades before you were born, I believe."
Xanos and Shulme don't get enough conversations together. It's nice to show a more forthright and comfortable side of Xanos.
Teon |
Still putting on the Fargo disguise each morning before summoning Teon
I for one Captain tire of these delays. This is not a pleasure cruise, feel that we should make our way to our destination will all prudent speed. I do of course value the input of my companions. And yours Captain.
Bluff 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
Gwyn, not really interested in trading, busies herself with checking the string of her bow for damage from the rain.
I'm assuming that there is a spare longbow that Gwyn can "borrow."
Cain... |
Cain doesn't need to even roll the Sense Motive to succeed, so...
Knowledge: Local 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
I'm assuming our longships are close enough together to overhear conversations, though I'll also assume XAnos and Shulme aren't speaking loud enough to carry far (unless you two would prefer it otherwise).
Cain nods appreciatively as Gwyn checks her bowstring, though his eyes are pulled back to the oncoming boats. He gives a grunt for anyone nearby, "I've heard of these guys. Fight with bone and seal-skin, I think. No metals. As long as we can make our meeting time up north, I don't care if we stop to trade or not... though I'm not sure what a bunch of seal-lovers could trade us of any value."
Price |
Price can't help but notice Odenkirk's interest and plays into it - exchanging slight smiles for his stolen glances, 'accidentally' brushing against him as they pass each other, and ensuring that at least a few times while she washes her legs at the bucket in the stern that he's in range to catch a quick flash of a calf or thigh that disappears beneath her skirts.
For the umpteenth time, the Inquisitor is glad that she used the crown of disguise to only slightly alter her appearance - nothing overt or outlandish. It enabled her to get close without betraying herself. And this job was likely to require her getting very close. Seduction, at its best, was a game of subtleties... and Price had no way to know if the Captain was playing her as expertly as she was trying to play him.
But how, exactly, to play the man? He'd seen her fight and hunt. He had some knowledge of her capabilities... so playing the demure virgin was out. Further, he'd shown his own skills in battle. He was a dangerous opponent. She'd have to be careful and follow the basic Grifter principal - In a grift, use what you can. The more that is true, the less that can be found false.
So she stayed true to her alias but softened her voice slightly when speaking with him, and deferred just a hint more than she would otherwise. And what little compliments she parsed out, they were on skills the Captain displayed and that she could respect. It was a very subtle dance for sure but one, as an inquisitor, she was trained for. So when the Captain mentioned meeting with the Yutak, Price was ready.
"If you think it best, Kar... Captain. Are they dangerous?"
Sense Motive (sniffing out untruths in his follow-up answers) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20
Captain Kargeld Odenkirk |
Kargeld ignores most of the talk until Price speaks. "Dangerous? Bunch of savages, I tell ya. But don't underestimate 'em in a fight. They don't have much good steel, but they like it. Seal skins too. I expect that's all they want, and the ivory they have goes for a pretty copper." Odenkirk begins the process of ordering his men to come about to meet up with the Yutak.
As the crafts pull up, Kargeld begins to speak with the man who appears to be the leader of their vessel, communicating in the the Yutak tongue. Kargeld allows some of the Yutak to board the Frosthammer.
As the discussions continue on, one who appears to not be a warrior but rather a shaman approaches you all, seemingly not interested in the mercantile talk. He speaks in an accented common. "Greetings travelers. I am Joseph Calls-Fire-From-Water. You not seem same as Chief of Boat. Perhaps tale have you to share?"
Just to clarify, both of your vessels are close enough that you can cross between them.
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
"Just guards. Just guards trying to do our job."
Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 => 14 if he's attracted to her.
While it can be said that Gwyn is a consummate actress and could tell lies convincingly enough that people would swear it's truth, the lie, or half-truth rather, she just told was about as bad as it could be coming from her.
King Markadian V |
"I see." He turns to the direction you were traveling. "Am curious what cargo take to the frozen north? Only things there bugbears, ice elves and Naatanuk. Is strange way travel."
Meanwhile Odenkirk and the chieftan seem to be getting into serious negotiations over pelts and ivory.
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Gwyndolin Maulsen |
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Gwyn notes the suspicion and thinks through a couple of options before deciding that the less the Shaman knew the better.
"Maybe, but we're not paid to wonder about such things. Could be a dragon in the box. Could be some nice clothes and firewood. I really don't know, nor do I care."
Bluff(just in case): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Cain... |
Sense Motive 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27
Cain stifles a growl, but not the grimace. "And they pay us good coin to run off physical threats as well as nosey strangers." He nods at the shaman, "Might wanna be careful a'where yer eyes wander, fella."
Intimidate (just playing the bad cop to be Gwyn's good) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
King Markadian V |
"I see. Then I shall take my leave. Good journey." The shaman returns to his craft, purposely avoiding looking at the crates you all travel with.
As the negotiations continue on, Kargeld suddenly becomes very interested as the chief pulls out a long cloth-wrapped packed. Opening it reveals an 8' horn made of ivory. A valuable object indeed. The negotiations seem fierce, but it appears they cannot come to an agreement.
Price |
Price hovers close to the Captain, playing the siren's role and keeping tabs on him, while watching the negotiation with interest. She admires the horn and can well imagine why the Captain wants it. And what was his prize could very soon belong to Price and her cohorts once this mission was done.
Xanos' approach was disconcerting, it suggested things weren't going well with the rest of the Yutak. Price surreptitiously glances into the bag and then gives the necromancer a curious look at its contents, followed by a raised finger indicating give me a moment.
Price moves closer to the heated negotiation and looks over the horn openly, enough to draw the negotiators' attention. When she has Kargeld's focus, she says, "This is extraordinary, Captain. But it sounds like the negotiation isn't going well. What is the matter? Can I help in some way?" She smiles at the Yutak chieftain.
Knowledge: Arcana vs DC15 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
Xanos |
Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
Xanos steps forward next to the captain. "That, I am willing to trade for."
I have metal chain, metal fish hooks, four good quality locks with keys, a bunch of alchemical items and some scrolls, and two bear traps. What do I guess would interest them most?
Captain Kargeld Odenkirk |
"Bah, the savages. That's a fine narwhal horn. Very fine. But he's wanting too much for the blasted thing, and of that which I don't have to give. Hard to believe they don't want gold, but rather steel. Even the pelts don't get me far with them." He notices Price's smile and a hard look comes to his face as Xanos comes up. "If you want a stab at it, be my guest."
The Yutak do not have any gold per se, but in trade value they'll offer full price (instead of half) for any item primarily composed of metal. The alchemical items and scrolls would go for standard half price. Mithril is highly valued, 200% price, and the seal pelts can be traded for 50gp in ivory each. What they offer in trade is ivory, which as a trade good can be later sold at full price.
Price |
Price grabs Gwyn and drags her into the negotiations figuring most men had a weakness for pretty women and Gwyn had the look of a girl who could talk a wolf out of a meal if she was inclined.
She whispers quickly to the girl and then smiles for the men. "Captain, please translate if our guest doesn't understand us well. We would like to trade for the horn and others things beside, if they are as impressive i.e. magical or potentially so for our marry band of reavers as the horn. We have something to trade that is more valuable than the mithril that makes it."
Price steps to one of their well-locked boxes and with the help of Cain and Shulme they drag a bagged something from it before locking the box up tight again. They bring over the squirming and bound up Mithril Cobra.
Diplomacy (AA to Gwyn) 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Come'on Gwyn, my roll sucked - bring it home.